Air quality advisory issued for Salem, Portland amid 100-degree Oregon heat wave

An air quality advisory has been issued in the Salem and Portland-Vancouver metro areas due to elevated levels of ozone pollution or smog, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ anticipates ozone pollution to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups on Thursday and Friday. It expects the advisory to last until 8 p.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning from noon Thursday to 10 p.m. on Friday as temperatures rise toward 100 both days in Portland, Salem and Eugene.

Health officials recommend sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions limit outdoor activities while levels are high.

Recommendations include:

• Limit driving by using public transit, carpooling or other alternative transportation.
• Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
• Refuel vehicles during cooler evening hours.
• Postpone yard work that uses gas-powered equipment.
• Postpone painting and aerosol spray projects.

Check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ’s Air Quality Index .

Elliott Deins is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. You can reach him at edeins@salem.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Air quality advisory issued for Salem, Portland amid 100-degree Oregon heat wave